Premier U-18 League Southern group 2014-15
          American Express E F P Centre, Lancing
            Saturday 31st January 2015, 12 noon

            BRIGHTON & H.A.  v      SPURS
             (Blue/White)         (All Black)
                4-3-3               4-4-2

                 0(0)                3(0)

Brighton included:– Vose, Barnett, Barclay, Horncastle(C), Tighe, Tilley

Booked:– No. 10 67(Foul), Horncastle 90+3(Foul)

Spurs:– Glover(Whiteman 79); Walker-Peters, Brown, Amos, Tanganga, Walkes(C), Ross(Stylianides 70), Onomah, Loft(Bennetts 75), Sterling

Unused Sub:- Paul

Scorers:– Edwards pen57, Sterling pen71, Bennetts 77

On a cold windy morning they let me into the centre without a ticket for Spurs' fourth game in ten days. They did not provide a teamsheet so I was not able to name the Brighton side. Spurs had slipped down the table having lost their last two games while Brighton had made a strong start to their first season in the top League, but lost their last game at West Ham. At Hotspur Way earlier in the season Brighton won 5-1.

At the end of a busy week McKenna brought in six U-16 players for this match. Four of them were starters, whilst two were on the bench. Glover started in goal behind Tanganga and Walkes with Walker-Peters at right back and Brown, making his debut, at left back. Amos anchored a midfield diamond with Onomah and Ross in front of him and Edwards behind the front pair of Loft and Sterling.

Spurs defended the South end playing into a head wind which gave the advantage to the home side in the first half. Onomah had an early chance that flew over before his next effort which was easy for Vose before making the keeper work with a third. Tighe played a one two before Glover saved his effort at the near post. Sterling played Edwards in on the left for a shot saved by Vose. Walkes had a weak effort saved before Brighton had the last chance of the first half, when they won a corner. From the corner, Horncastle headed over.

There were no changes at the start of the second half which saw Horncastle head wide from an early corner. Spurs then took over with Loft drawing a save from a free kick by Onomah, who put another just wide of the far post. Edwards played in Ross to win a corner from the keeper's save.

Walker-Peters made a good run and hit a shot which was wide of the far post. Another free kick by Onomah was pushed onto the bar by Vose. Edwards' dribble into the area was halted by Horncastle who conceded a penalty. Edwards took the kick himself scoring off the right post.

Brighton reacted quickly sending a long ball into the Spurs area where Tighe performed a spectactular sissor kick to hit the ball over the bar. Tighe had another effort saved by Glover before a break by Brown down the left drew a foul from behind that was punished by a yellow card.

Onomah was just wide of the far post with his free kick. Edwards played in Sterling for a chance that was saved, before Spurs made their first change. Stylianides replaced Ross in midfield just before Spurs were awarded another penalty. Edwards had slipped the ball through for Sterling who was brought down by Vose. Sterling took the penalty hitting it straight down the middle.

Tighe drew another save from Glover before Spurs made their second change replacing Loft with young striker Bennetts, who was only on the pitch for two minutes when he popped up at the far post to head in Spurs' third goal from Walker-Peters' cross. With the game won, McKenna gave Whiteman his chance by replacing Glover in goal. Sterling drew a save before Onomah saw his free kick go for a corner. In added time Sterling's break was stopped by Horncastle who was booked for the foul. Onomah had the last chance when he fired wide from open play.

After a well contested first half, Spurs dominated the second, scoring three goals without reply. All the goals came from the youngsters promoted to the team from the U-16's. Because they were so much in control, they subbed the keeper to give him a run out. The win stopped the rot and moved Spurs back up to third in the table. They are ten points behind leaders Chelsea with a game in hand and meet them in the last game before the second phase. Spurs are due to meet Leicester next on the 11th February, althought this may be changed as they play Manchester United at WHL on the 9th in the Youth Cup.

Ray

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